LANSING -- Democrats in the state Senate announced their intention today to formally introduce legislation next week to repeal Michigan's constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage.

The draft legislation, accompanied by bills which would permit same-sex marriages to be performed as well as recognizing marriages from other states, will be read into the record on the Senate floor when the chamber reconvenes next week, according to a spokesman from Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer's office. Democrats are outnumbered 26-12 in the state Senate.

Sen. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) is sponsoring the constitutional repeal, while Sen. Whitmer (D-East Lansing) is the sponsor for the statutory repeal measure, according to Sarah Curmi, Warren's chief of staff.

A resolution urging repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act will be offered by Sen. Bert Johnson (D-Detroit), and Sen. Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) is sponsoring the bill to recognize out-of-state marriages.

“This legislation will not only allow all couples to make a lifetime commitment to one another, but also extend important legal protections to them and their children," Warren said in a statement. "I have long been a supporter of marriage equality, and am thrilled to see that Michiganders from across the state understand that ideology should no longer dictate a matter that it will strengthen our families, our communities and our economy."

The provision would seek to reverse Michigan’s voter-approved constitutional amendment from 2004, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman. That proposal was approved by voters with more than 58 percent of the vote.